What China’s Business Leaders are Reading

Pick up a book during the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival (Sept.15-17) and National Holiday (Oct. 1-7) that can change the way you do business.

How will you spend your upcoming holiday time? Mid-Autumn Festival (Sept.15-17) and National Holiday (Oct. 1-7) are a great time to pick up a book that can change the way you do business. Here are the top picks from the leaders of AmCham China’s community:

“Quite fun but also very concrete in terms of advice, and very useful for everyone. It’s about applying some very simple concepts with strong discipline to every single negotiation, and basically getting more of what you want.”

Sylvia Pan, General Manager, Beijing United Family Hospital and Clinics

A Way of Life by William Osler

“It's full of philosophy. He talks a lot about healthcare and his words are really touching. It makes you believe that you’re doing something right, something worth doing.”

“It's all about change and how we roll out change and absorb change in day-to-day work life. That's one of my all-time favorites. A short, fast read.”

Sabine Hoppe, Senior Vice President and Head of Export Control and Customs, Siemens China

The Leader Who Had No Title by Robin Sharma

“One of the most influential coaches out there for me is Robin Sharma. His books certainly changed my way of thinking and my approach to work. (He emphasizes) that you will do much better in life when you truly love what you’re doing. No matter what kind of position you hold, if you do your job with the utmost greatness and compassion, you will find your destiny.”

Carol Li Rafferty, Managing Director, Yale Center Beijing

The China Model: Political Meritocracy and the Limits of Democracy by Daniel Bell

“The book provides an illuminating and comprehensive analysis about how the Chinese government has approached economic development and governance since the late 1970s. It debunks a lot of assumptions behind non-Chinese reportage on China and is a must-read for anyone who seeks to better understand how the Chinese government works.”

“It does a great job describing foreigners who have come to China over the years – missionaries, diplomats, doctors, engineers, scientists – and tells their stories. I’ve referred to it over my years in China and I always discover parallels.”

This list was compiled by Catherine Conway, an AmCham China Communications Intern.

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The American Chamber of Commerce in the People's Republic of China is a non-profit, non-governmental organization whose membership comprises more than 3,300 individuals from 900 companies operating across China. The chamber's nationwide mission is to help American companies succeed in China through advocacy, information, networking and business support services. AmCham China is the only officially recognized chamber of commerce representing American business in mainland China. With offices in Beijing, Tianjin, Dalian, Shenyang and Wuhan, AmCham China has more than 50 working groups, and holds more than 250 events each year.